S. Korea Delegation Attends Inauguration of IAEA’s ATLAS Initiative
Key Takeaways
- •The International Atomic Energy Agency launched ATLAS in Washington, D.C., as a global initiative for nuclear-powered vessels and floating reactors.
- •A South Korean government delegation attended the inauguration ceremony for the two-day event, which runs through Thursday local time.
- •South Korea has identified small modular reactors as one of its seven future technology drivers and aims to develop SMR-powered vessels by 2035.
- •Countries and international agencies are still reviewing the licensing, safety and reactor-design rules needed for nuclear use at sea.
- •The delegation included First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuk-chae, officials from the industry ministry and local companies.
A South Korean government delegation attended the inauguration ceremony for a major international initiative launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Washington, D.C., the science ministry said Wednesday.
The two-day event, which runs through Thursday local time, marked the launch of the Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea, or ATLAS, a global initiative aimed at supporting the deployment of nuclear-powered vessels and floating reactors.
South Korea has designated small modular reactors, or SMRs, as one of the country’s seven future technology drivers and has set a goal of developing SMR-powered vessels by 2035. The ATLAS launch comes as countries and international agencies continue to examine the technical and regulatory framework needed for nuclear applications at sea, where licensing, safety oversight and reactor design requirements differ from land-based systems.
The delegation included Koo Hyuk-chae, first vice minister of science and ICT, along with officials from the industry ministry and local companies. (Yonhap)
